Electrical fountain pen soldering iron



Sept. 19, 1939. H. R. THARP lELECTRIGAL FOUNTAIN PEN SOLDERING IRONFiled Sept. 19, 1938 HOHER I?. THAPP.

Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICALFOUNIAlblIW PEN SOLDERING Homer R. Tharp, San Antonio, Tex.

Application September 19, 1938, Serial No. 230,685

13 Claims. (Cl. 21S-27) This invention relates to an electricfountainvided with an air Vent or aperture 8, and its pen solderingiron. outer end is threaded to receive the point or solder An object ofthe invention is to provide a small tip 9, which tip is provided with acanal feeder compact soldering implement or iron to be used I0. Withincasing I and extending around tube by electricians, radio repair men,and the like, for 6 is a heating unit II. On casing I there are 5general utility work. a series of apertures I2, contiguous to the heat-Another object of the invention is the proviing unit II, for Ventilatingpurposes. A switch sion of a small, compact soldering tool or irondevice I3 is placed on casing I and is electrically of a design and sizeapproximating an ordinary connected to the small plug I4, and by wiresI5 fountain pen, that can be easily carried in the is also connected tothe heating unit II, where- 10 pocket of the user, for miscellaneous andgenby when the button I6 is slid to its open posieral utility work. tionas clearly shown in Figure 1, the circuit will A still further object ofthe invention is the be broken, but when the button is moved towardsconstruction of a soldering iron with a novel and the outer end of thesoldering iron, contact will efficient air release valve device. be hadat Il with one of the wires I5, whereupon 15 Another object of theinvention is the conthe circuit will be closed and if the plug I4 is instruction of what might be called a vest pocket circuit with anelectrical source, the heating unit size soldering iron, which is highlyefficient in II will be heated to the desired temperature for operation,and comprises a relatively minimum melting the stick of solder I8, whichis normally number of parts, and is comparatively inexpenin the tube 6.

sive to manufacture. To permit air to flow into the metal tube 6 Withthe foregoing and other objects in view, for allowing the melted solderto iiow out through my invention comprises certain novel construc- Canalfeeder I0 of tip 9, I have provided a novel tions, combinations, andarrangements of parts air-release valve device I9 for normally closaswill be hereinafter fully described, illustrated ing the aperture or airvent 8. This valve device 25 in the accompanying drawing, and more par-I9 comprises a U-shape yoke frame 20 that is ticularly pointed out inthe appended claims. slidably mounted in parallel grooves 2l of the Inthe drawing; metal tube 6. On one side of tube 6 there is a Figure 1 isan enlarged, central, vertical, secflat Valve seat 22 (Fig. 6). Fixedlysecured in tional view of a soldering iron constructed in frame 20 is aflat rubber valve 23; this valve 23 30 accordance with this invention.may be cemented or otherwise secured within Figure 2 is an enlargedsectional view taken frame 20. This flat valve 23 normally rests on line2 2, Figure l, and looking in the direcagainst the flat valve seat 22,closing the vent 8.

tion of the arrows. The parallel sides of frame 20 are provided on 9,5Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitheir outer end with inwardlyextending hooks 35 i tudinal sectional view of the soldering iron. 24;these hooks 24 extend into the outer loop of Figure 4 is an enlargedsectional view taken coil spring V25, thereby holding the spring in poonline 4-4, Figure 1. sition within frame 20. The inner end of coil Figure5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of spring 25 bears against the tube6, while the the SOlderllg iIOii, ShOWiilg partly in SeCt-OD and outerend surrounds extension 26 of button 2l; 40 partly in elevation theprotectlng cover thereon. button 21 is provided with a gang@ 23 (Fig, 3)

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View iii to keep the button frombeing displaced off caselevation of the solder-holding metal tubeing I.It will be seen that when the operator Referring to the drawng,ir1WhiChIhaVe ShOWrl presses inwardly upon button 2l, valve 23 will thepreferred embodiment 0f my invention, i be away from the air vent 8,thereby opening the 45 designates a casing Of any Suitable material,same, permitting air to pass into the tube 6, which casing is providedon its outer end with allowing the melted solder to flow out through adetachable cap 2. On its inner end there is tip I0 onto the work. adetachable composition head 3 provided with In Figure 5 there is shown aprotecting cover 450 a centering washer 4; and near the outer end 29,threaded upon threads 30 of casing I. This 50 of casing I is anothercentering or supporting cover 29 is provided with Ventilating apertureswasher 5. The washers 4 and 5 support the 3l, and also with a pocketcllp 32, whereby the solder-holding metal tube 6. A rubber orcomposoldering iron can be fastened in the operators sition plug I issupported by cap 2 against the pocket without liability of being lost.It is to .55 outer open end of tube 6. The tube 6 is probe understoodthat this soldering iron is for pref- 55 erably light or delicate work,and is also, preferablyn, vof such a small and convenient size as can becarried easily in a coat, shirt, or vest pocket of the operator.

When it is desired to reacharge the soldering iron, the operator removescap 2, carrying plug l, exposing the outer open end of tube S, whereupona new stick of solder can be easily inserted in said tube.

Normally, the switch i3 is kept open, but when the operator desires touse the tool, all he has to do is to close the circuit at l'i-presumingthat the plug I4 is in circuit with a source of electricity-whereuponthe heating unit il will be energized, melting the solder. Then he opensthe air vent 8, by pressing in on button 2l, whereupon the melted solderwill flow out of the point l. By closing the valve device IE (Figs. l to3), the flow of melted solder will be prevented.

Within casing l, and around tube 6 is a suitable insulation 33 (Fig. l).This insulation 33 can be placed against or around the heating unit Ii(not shown) sufficiently to materially assist in the insulation of theheating unit if the operator desires. The heating unit H is readilyaccessible, for by removing the head 3 the heating unit will bedisclosed to view.

It will, therefore, be seen that I have provided a very simple,efficient, and novel pocket or fountain-pen type of a soldering iron,for use by any person, especially repair men, or the like.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my inventtion andillustrated the same in the accompanying drawing, certain minor changesor alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same and I,therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations asshall fairly all within the scope or the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a soldering iron, the combination with a casing, of asolder-holding tube within said casing, said tube provided with an airvent in its side, a spring pressed valve device surrounding said tubeand over said air vent and normally closing said air vent, and means forelectrically heating a portion of said tube.

2. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing provided at one endwith a removable cap and at its opposite end with a removable tip, aheating unit in said casing contiguous to said tip, said casing providedwith Ventilating apertures contiguous to said heating unit, a metal tubeprovided near its outer end with an air vent within said casing andhaving its inner end at said tip, valve means for normally closing saidair vent, and electrical means for supplying an electric current to saidheating unit.

3. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing, said casingprovided near its ends with supporting washers, a tube open at its endsand extending through and supported upon said washers, said casingprovided with a cap carrying a plug, said plug closing the outer end ofsaid tube, a tip on the outer end of said casing over the contiguous endof said tube, said tube provided with an air vent and valve meanstherefor', and electrical means for heating said tube.

4. In a soldering iron, the combinatiton of a casing, a tube and meanswithin said casing for heating said tube, said tube provided with an airvent in its side, a valve device surrounding said tube and normallyclosing said air vent, and said valve device provided with a buttonextending through one side of said casing.

5. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing, a tube within saidcasing, means for heating said tube, said tube provided with a attenedportion and an air vent in said flattened portion, said tube provided onopposite sides in alignment with said air vent with parallel grooves, aU-shape yoke frame surrounding said tube and slidably mounted in saidparallel grooves, a flat yieldable valve in said yoke frame against saidflattened portion of said tube and normally closing said air vent, saidU-shape frame having its sides terminating in inwardly extending hooks,a coil spring provided with a portion within said hooks andnormallypressing at one end against said tube, a button slidably mountedin the side of said casing, said button provided with an extension insaid coil spring, and said button provided with a flange normallyengaging said casing whereby the button is prevented from beingdisplaced 01T the casing.

6. In a soldering iron the combination of a casing, a solder-holdingtube within said casing,

electrical heating means connected to said tube, l

said tube provided with an air vent, a valve device engaging said tubefor closing said air vent, said valve device comprising a frame movablyengaging said tube, a valve within said frame normally closing said airvent of said tube, said frame provided with a spring for holding saidvalve in its normally closed position, and a button movably mounted insaid casing and engaging said frame.

7. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing, a solder-holdingtube within said casing, means ior heating a portion of said tube, saidtube provided with an air vent between its ends, a valve device slidablymounted between the ends of and on said tube and normally closing saidair vent, and a button in the side of said casing and engagingsaid valvedevice.

8. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing, a solder-holdingtube within said casing, means for heating a portion of said tube, saidtube provided with an air vent, a frame slidably mounted in the sides ofsaid tube, said frame provided with a valve over said air vent, and amanually-operated button in the side of said casing and in engagementwith said frame.

9. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing, a solder-holdingtube within said casing, said tube being provided with an air ventbetween its ends, a valve device on said casing and extending transverseoi said tube and normally closing said air vent, said valve devicemovably transverse of said tube, and electrical means engaging said tubefor heating solder within the tube.

l0. In a soldering iron, the combinattion of a casing, a tube withinsaid casing, said tube being open at its inner end, a cap on said casingand provided with a separate plug countersunk therein, said cap closingone end of said casing and said plug entirely closing the inner end ofsaid tube, and electrical means on said casing and tube for heating saidtube.

l1. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing, a tube within saidcasing, said tube provided between its ends with an air vent, a bodilymovable valve device on said casing and tube and being adapted to movetransverse of both said tube and casing, said valve device normallyclosing said air Vent, said valve device including manually engagedmeans practically flush with the outer face of said casing, whereby thevalve device 13. In a soldering iron, the combination of a casing, anelectrically heated tube in said casing, said tube being provided withan air vent, a depressible valve device on the side of said casing andnormally closing said air vent, and said valve ,device bodily movabletransverse of said casing and tube.4

HOMER R. THARP.'

